My next project

After a couple of weeks off and plenty of debate I have decided what my next composition will be.  I am going to compose a piece for brass quintet.  About 2 years ago I sketched a couple of thematic ideas that I had for brass instruments.  I liked these fragments and ideas, but I never took the time to compose the piece.

I have some notes about the piece/sketches that I need to revisit.  As I begin fleshing out these sketches I will need to decide more of the parameters of the piece.  For example, will it be a single-movement or a multi-movement piece?  Will I try to stretch the boundaries of brass writing or will I keep it more traditional/conventional?  Many questions will have to wait to be answered until I start writing the piece.  I need to see how I develop these ideas and move in a direction that makes sense for the piece.

Unlike my previous piece, Shadows of Dreams, I do not have a group lined up that is interested in reading and performing the piece.  I do have a couple of leads, but nothing concrete.  No matter what, when it is completed it will be an easy piece to shop around as there are many brass quintets.  I am sure I can find someone to perform this piece.

This is a piece that I have been wanting to write for a while now.  I figured that now is the time to write it.   

Emotional Toll

As an artist, my life directly impacts my music.  As human beings, people even the non-artistic type can hear, feel or see emotion in works of art.  The composing of music should never be mechanical, otherwise the soul and emotion may be lost.  At the same time, the composing of music should not be purely emotional, otherwise the focus and drive of the music may be lost.

Tragic events and festive celebrations that change my mood can often color my creative process.  Contrary to what I used to think tragic and depressing events do not always hinder my creative process.  I have written a few pieces inspired by tragic events that are among some of the strongest pieces I have composed.

I am writing about this topic because this past Wednesday my Grandmother, Shirley Bice, passed away.  I have been thinking a lot about her and I am trying to work through my emotions about her death.  This is a very difficult time for me and my family.  Currently, i am between pieces and as I think about the next piece I am going to write, I wonder how her passing will affect it.  Will this piece be composed in her memory?  I don't know.  In the past when I have composed a piece in the memory of a loved one, some time has passed.  This allows me to resolve my feelings about the event.  By waiting I feel that I am able to compose a piece that is a celebration of their life and not just a memorial. 

Shadows of Dreams finished

About ten days ago I finished Shadows of Dreams for flute quartet.  The music has been entered into Finale.  The score and parts have been emailed to Greer Ellison, director of the University of California Santa Cruz Flute Ensemble.

It is such a relief to have finished the piece.  I really enjoyed working on it and yet there is a tremendous satisfaction in handing over the completed score to an ensemble who is interested in performing the work.

I am eager to hear back from Greer to get some feed back about my piece and to receive confirmation that Shadows of Dreams will be performed on a concert in June.

I will post further updates about this piece as time goes on.  I will also post some more sketches and drafts and talk a bit about my compositional process.  At this time I plan on waiting about another week before I take another look at it.  This will allow me to look at the piece with fresh eyes.